With confusion surrounding the status of Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill, most have been anticipating that Sammy Watkins would become the No. 1 receiver in Hill’s absence, with Demarcus Robinson stepping into the No. 2 role. That would enable rookie receiver Mecole Hardman to move around the formation, attempting to duplicate some of the speed and misdirection Hill brings to the table.

However, Pringle’s improvements may force a different scenario. It may become impossible for the coaching staff to keep him off the field.

During his most recent podcast, Matt Waldman of the Rookie Scouting Portfolio said he believes this scenario will indeed occur. In his projections for the season, Waldman has Pringle forcing his way up the depth chart and beating out Robinson for playing time and in production.

I was intrigued. I wondered whether Waldman’s take was based only on the recent rumblings out of OTAs and minicamp, or if he had other reasons for his optimism regarding Pringle. So I reached out to see if he would discuss his thoughts in more detail.

A bit of introduction might be helpful. After years of film study, Waldman created the Rookie Scouting Portfolio, an annual publication that dives deeply into the college tape of hundreds of draft-eligible players. He assesses and grades incoming rookies at each of the offensive skill positions, providing his thoughts on their strengths, weaknesses and how their skill set will translate to the NFL.

Our conversation started with what his impressions were of Pringle based on this film study, prior to the 2018 draft. He said, “When I reviewed his college tape, what I saw was a receiver with big-play ability and advanced route-running capabilities. He is a good technician and understands how to set up routes for success in the stem of the routes, which is a really important skill for gaining separation.”

I asked for some clarification about what he meant when he mentioned setting up routes in the “stems,” and he explained that it has to do with understanding the position of the defender and how he’s playing a receiver. When a receiver has this skill set to set up his stems for success, he is making the defender think he is running one route while he is actually running another.

Things like head fakes, changing speeds and other subtle body movements help the receiver accomplish this. This can get the defender leaning in the wrong direction or out of position, enabling the receiver to get open. While this skill is a necessity for NFL receivers, it is rare for college players, and it is a skill that Pringle showed on tape.

Byron Pringle selling the vertical with pads and eyes then pulling the string with head movement and stick that “steps on toes” of DB, sending the DB on a goose chase. pic.twitter.com/RbNHlM4Qup

Waldman then spoke about how he was also impressed with Pringle’s ability on special teams.

“He was also great as a kick returner and punt returner,” Waldman said. “You could see his efficiency of movement to set up defenders and make them miss. He makes really efficient decisions.”

Although the Chiefs do not need another kick or punt returner with both Hill and Hardman on the roster, Pringle’s after-the-catch abilities must be intriguing to the coaching staff.

Waldman noted in 2018 that the biggest area Pringle needed to improve upon in order to have sustained success in the NFL was his hand placement while catching the ball. At times he used an underhand, passive position, allowing targets into his body instead of snagging them with correct hand positioning. This incorrect hand placement can lead not only to more drops but also to a loss of speed or balance when he must fight to secure the catch.

That Andy Reid just highlighted how great Pringle has looked catching the ball, then, is very encouraging.

That statement caught Waldman’s attention, and propelled Pringle up in his projections, since this was Pringle’s main area of weakness coming into the NFL.

When I asked how Waldman sees Pringle fitting within the Chiefs offense, he claimed it is difficult to predict because of the uncertainty surrounding Hill. But assuming Hill is out for some period, he said, “Pringle has the ability to be the primary flanker because he is good at earning yards after the catch.”

This would have him starting opposite Watkins on the outside. In the short term, Waldman said, he could also see Pringle working some in the slot since he has the short-area quickness to do it. But he believes Pringle is best suited as an outside receiver.

Since Reid wants his receivers to learn all of the positions, it is likely that Pringle would work at all three spots if he is getting regular playing time. That prompts the main question many have regarding Pringle amid the recent buzz: Can an undrafted player really beat out Robinson and Hardman for playing time?

Waldman says yes. Chiefs fans won’t like to hear it, but Waldman believes Pringle was not drafted mainly because of his past issues off the field. When he was 16, he was arrested for participation in crimes including burglary and aggravated assault. However, Pringle seemed to learn from that experience quickly, explaining that it wasn’t his character but had to do with who he was spending time with. He made changes in his life and, by all accounts, hasn’t looked back.

Judging him only by his college tape, Waldman rated Pringle as the 11th-best receiver entering the league last year. Other talent evaluators likely had him graded similarly but chose to pursue him as a free agent after the draft because of those questions about his past.

In the end, Waldman does not believe Robinson has done enough on the field to guarantee significant playing time. If Robinson couldn’t beat out Chris Conley, Waldman believes, he will not be able to beat out Pringle. In fact, if Hill is out, Waldman believes Pringle will become the primary flanker opposite Watkins this season, with Robinson and Hardman splitting time at the third spot.

Waldman projects Pringle for something in the vicinity of 50 catches for 750 yards and six touchdowns.

“He could be a weekly contributor with healthy per-catch averages, and could also become a deep threat with after-the-catch ability,” Waldman said.

That sort of additional weapon for Reid and Patrick Mahomes would be a major contribution toward keeping the offense humming during the 2019 season.

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